People that run for public office often adopt the title of “public servant”. Politicians campaign on the idea of public service and try and leave a legacy that indicates to most the honor they are due for their efforts. But oddly enough, one of the most interesting times to test the motivation of a public servant can be when they lose.
For example, look at the previous article on George W. Bush. Bush continues to be committed to Africa and remains almost totally silent as the current President and his dragoons use him as a punching bag and an excuse bank. This work and his behavior after his presidency, is an indication that there is a good chance any fair minded person will look back at George W. Bush and view him as someone who was a patriot.
The 39th President, as poor of an executive as many of us believe he was, also has a post Presidency many indications that he was motivated by the desire to make the world a better place. To many of us, the less Jimmy Carter is involved or comments on foreign affairs the better. But his work with Habitat for Humanity and the sincerity of his convictions have some point to his post Presidency as an example of public service.
In Liberty County we had a District Judge lose in 2010 that decided to take the law books the court relies on when he cleaned his office out. Former District Judge Rusty Hight was never charged and, as far as we know, never even apologized. But Hight severely damaged an already unimpressive legacy by his actions after his landslide defeat.
At the end of May, Henry Patterson set a record by losing his re-election bid by more votes than any incumbent sheriff in the history of Liberty County. Bobby Rader’s victory was huge and after defeating Patterson and Will Cox in the Republican primary, he has no Democrat opponent.
The seven months Patterson serves as a lame duck sheriff will not only effect the department he is responsible for, it will decide his legacy. What kind of shape will he leave the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department in? Will he spend taxpayer money wisely and efficiently and leave the department better equipped than when he took over? Will he show up for work and be an example that carries forward to the next administration? Will he leave records that for future administrations to emulate (how about records, for instance, that show how he has used assets confiscated from criminals)?
The answers to these questions and more will soon be known. And the legacy of this sheriff, like all public officials, will soon be sealed as he leaves office.
The sames questions are being asked about Liberty County DA Mike Little and if his replacement Logan Pickett who has now taken over the running of the DA's office will be an improvement or befall the same "legacy" as Henry Patterson- only time will tell.
13 comments:
Their legacy will be sealed and they will have plenty of time to hide and seal the records of where the confiscated money went. That includes the Sheriff and DA's office. I also do not think they have improved the DA's office. Only time will tell us so.
Information has it that Patterson and his Chief Deputy have already abandonded their posts, as one would expect them to do. Why would anyone expect Patterson do anything except what he has already shown he would do? NO MORE tha he absolutely has to do. What are they going to do, fire him?
As for the Chief Deputy and the other minions: They better keep showing up for work, they're not elected. Rumor has it Chief Cooper has vowed not to hit a lick at a snake from now until he is unceremoniously bounced out on the street. He owes liberty County 8 hours a day; if he's not working, he better have some leave time or I would assume he's cooking his time sheets, which is a felony I believe. All in all, you know it's not going to be pretty between now and December 31. They will be eating their young at the Liberty S.O......
I'm heard the same thing about Patterson and Cooper having "packed it in" for the remainder of the year. They intend to draw their county paychecks, but have no intentions of showing up. I also heard that the sheriff's department fuel budget for the deputy cars is EMPTY! Looks like Patterson has used most of the funds available for the department by the 7th month!! What a mess. January cannot get here quickly enough for Bobby Rader to take the helm. It's time for integrity to be returned to that office.
Looks like another chance for Mike Little to choose 'selective prosecution' when he ignores the felonies that Patterson and Cooper have committed.
SMH...Rusty was never charged b/c he did not steal any books. The only law books he took were his, AND he did not lose by a landslide! When is this site going to ever tell the truth?
Thanks
A conservative from Liberty Co.
I used to think Patterson and Cooper were honorable men. I figured Patterson had to be a little bit of a country bumpkin for being so oblivious to Kelly's gun thefts, yet I always thought he was a decent man. Since Patterson lost the election his true colors have really begun to show. I'm sad to say I thought so well of the man for over 20 years. Karma can be rough Henry. Be careful.
I have never understnded, why Henry Patterson waits so long to purchase vehicles for patrol. If you would look at the mileage that these Deputys cars have you would say, are they safe driving those cars. Come on man its July, you got your budget last October, why have you not purchased new patrol cars, you have the money, question still to be anwsered,?????
Evidently Henry Patterson missed his budget on fuel for the Sheriffs office by $160,000. How can you missed a budget item by that much, since the price of fuel hasn't changed that much since last years budget. What happened to the money in the fuel budget?
What happened to the fuel budget is a Deputy name Marita Cespedes who uses her county vehicle to take vacations all across the state of Texas!
and she got a promotion for it, and employee of the month/year, RIGHT? s.n.a.f.u.
On Rusty Hight- You are an idiot like youngblood if you think Judge Hight didnt steal law books when he was booted from office. If all he took was his own books, then why did he return the stolen goods/books?
Rusty? that was a negotiated settlement to avoid the embarassment/bother/expense of prosecution. (that deal aint offered to walMart shoplifters.... same difference)
ouch. the truth hurts
" you reap what you sow" Im waiting!!!
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